See how our clients customized their North Vietnam itinerary 14 days

Hello,
We are famaly of 4 - two adults and 2 kids 8.5 and 4 y.o. Looking for tour in September to Vietnam. Can you please suggest us some tour package compatable for our famaly. Thank you in advance, Yvgeny

Hello Tony again,
Thank you for your quickly replay...
About the day count, I think about 2 weeks in Vietnam (14 days). Our interest in culture and nature. We want to include couple of beach vacation days. I think think that september is a liitle bit problematic month with weather conditions, so I think that the Hanoi area (south) is more compatable for this part of year... Waiting for your replay. Thank you again

Hello Tony again,
we have a changes with our dates (and it is complited)...
Now I am speking about from 28 Sep - 11 Oct. On 28 Sep we have flight arriving to Hanoi at 8:30 morning... What will be a change ot itinenary for the new dates?

I understand that we need to take anti malaria care only in Sa Pa area... This a problem to give for kids the balls.. So, can you please suggest for us trip plan with no malaria areas?

Thank you in advance,
Yvgeny
p.s. Is it savety to visit Sapa with kids?

Thank you for the mail. Replied to your worry about malaria in VIetnam, I would like to send you 2 links - one in English and one in Vietnamese. The provinces in Vietnam having risk with malaria are: Bình Phước, Gia Lai, Quảng Nam, Cao Bằng, Sơn La, Khánh Hòa, Lam Dong.

"Malaria transmission in Viet Nam is mostly taking place in the central coastal and highland provinces and the southeastern provinces of Viet Nam. Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are the most common malaria parasites. The disease disproportionately affects ethnic minorities and mobile and migrant populations and people staying overnight in the forest." More information, please see World Health Organization report in these link in May 2015: http://www.wpro.who.int/vietnam/mediacentre/releases/2015/world_malaria_day_2015/en/

Sapa is no problem with malaria. It is a popular destination for travellers to Vietnam and you do not stay overnight in the village and the villages which you visit are not isolated in the forest.

I created 2 brief itineraries. In October, it is not a good time for swimming in North Vietnam and Central Vietnam. However, for 3day Halong bay tour, you also have some time relax on the beaches in this bay. Please review and give me your opinion.

Good morning Tony,
Thank you for your replay and good news about malaria! Thank you!
So, we prefere explore more the north vietnam and not center. Will do it in our next trip.
I disscuss with my wife about beaches too, and we think that two nights in Halong Bay ship will be enough. Our day in Hanoi, we whant to find good hotel with pool - this will be insead off beaches :)

I what to sent you some exmple plan that I found in internet with point on north that we want see - it was very impressive on images!
Please correct the plan as you think for us.
May be you will removes areas with malaria (but I think it is out off plan). Please check if overnight stays is in towns and not in vilagges.
This is a plan...:

Thank you for the mail. Based on your information, these places are really adventurous for healthy travellers. Please talk with your wife for a 4 year old kid. It will be really hard for him.

- Our advice:
+ Go to Sapa, so there is no need to go to Mai Chau. It is a really long drive from Mai chau to Mu Cang Chai - moutainous road.
+ Ban Gioc Water Fall, OVernight in Cao bang Province is at high risk of malaria

Good morning Tony,
Hi Tony, What is the most problematic place to go with kids(long driving)? If I undersand you right you are speaking about
Day 2: Hanoi - Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai
Day 3: Mu Cang Chai
Day 4: Mu Cang Chai - Sapa
Right? Which distances you are speaking about and how many driving from place to place?

Thank you for the mail. Long driving from Hanoi to Mu Cang Chai near 290KM but it takes around 9hours even longer because it is a mountainous area. The hotel here is basic, but clean with airconditon and hot water. However, we would like to recommend to join homestay with the local people to learn more about their cultures.

Ok, I am understand you... May you can suggest us another variants of places to visit in the north? May we can do the way to Mu Cang Chai with night stop. What do you think about Mu Cang Chai with night stop insted off Ba Be lake visit?
Or may be enouph Sapa only for views, rice fields, local people, markets?
Sorry, I have many questions...

Tony, I saw the information about the Mu Cang Chai and I can say that this is fantastic place specialy in September - Octomber monthes! I am realy love photographic and this is my hobby... I do very many photos in each my trip...
I discussed with my wife and we think that we want to visit this place insead off Ba Be lake. You can suggest as some trip to Mu Cang Chai and Sapa with overnight stop on the way. This will be really fun for us. Our kids not afraid long drivings...
This is very importand for us to enjoy vietnamian people real life, see the culture, clothes, markets.

Thank you for the mail. If you want to see Mu Cang Chai,it should be 2nights or it will be too tired for you - Not saying about kids. It is beautiful but hotel is simple - what I am concerned. If you see Sapa and Mu Cang Chai, It will be ok not to see Ba Be lake. Mu Cang Chai is for adventurous travelers, not for kids. Sapa also offers beautiful terraced rice fields as well. Please give more you opinion,

Dear Tony
Thank you Tony for email regarding our best Vietnam tours Hanoi.
Waht did you mean "adventurous travelers, not for kids"? I am understand that this tour without classic children attraction and this many hours in the car... This is not problem for us in case that this tour not dangerous... May be speak about not safety driving and roads...??
We are many traveling with children in the car, many hours...
One year before in Costa Rica we did trips 7-8 hous in day...
You can plan more days and nights for Mu Cang Chai and Sa Pa. And you can remove Ba Be lake...

p.s. We don't have a problem with simple hotel. I hope it is clean. This is important for us. Don't worry about hotel - I am understand that this is remote area. This area out off malaria, yes???

Yvgeny

Tony Ta
08/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
At the moment, Mu Cang Chai is not on the list of malaria, but there are surely Mosquitos there - a mountainous area and you should prepare some mosquito prevention. Driving in the north west of Vietnam, you will meet many parts of unsmooth roads, zic and zac road - z road. It is not city or countryside roads. I will come back with itinerary soon.
Best regards,
Tony
Yvgeny Sukhov
08/07/2015
to me
Tony, who will be driver? All the time is a same person?
Tony Ta
08/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvegeny,
You will have the same driver.
Tony Ta
09/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
Please see the brief itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi arrival + food tour
Day 2: Explore charming Hanoi city + Photos
Day 3: Hanoi - Trangan, UNESCO Natural and Cultural Heritage Site + Photos
Day 4: Ninh binh - Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi - Sapa - Catcat rice paddy fields, waterfall + Photos
Day 6: Sapa - Lao Chai, Ta Van terraced rice field + Photos
Day 7: Sapa - Bac Ha, Sunday market - the biggest local ethnic market + Photos
Day 8: Bac Ha - Mu Cang Chai terrace rice field + Photos
Day 9: Mu Cang Chai + Photos
Day 10: Mu Cang Chai + Photos - Hanoi
Day 11: Hanoi - Halong bay - UNESCO Natural Heritage Site + Photos
Day 12: Halong bay + Photos
Day 13: Halong - Hanoi
Day 14: Hanoi depart.
I think this is the best itinerary for your family. Please review and give me you opinion.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Tony
Yvgeny Sukhov
09/07/2015
to me
Hi Tony,
Thank you. Will replay you soon.
Yvgeny
Yvgeny Sukhov
09/07/2015
to me
Hello Tony,
We have a FINAL dates in Vietnam. We are comming fot 18 nights from 23 Sep (8:30 morning) - 11 Oct.
We want to go to the Hoi An to the beaches, town and this area. So, we have more nights, about 4 to do it.
We have no problem with itinerary that you send befor. Please include the Hoi An too and send me the total price and trip info with attractions and poit of interests.
Thank you,
Yvgeny
Tony Ta
Attachments10/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
Thank you for the mail. Based on your request, I would like to send you a new itineray in the attached file.
Brief itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi arrival + Food tour(D)
Day 2: Hanoi – Trang An, UNESCO Natural Heritage Site(B/L)
Day 3: Trang An – Bai Dinh - Hanoi( B/L)
Day 4: Hanoi - Halong bay, UNESCO Natural Heritage site( B/L/D)
Day 5: Halong bay - Paradise on Earth( B/L/D)
Day 6: Halong bay - Hanoi(B/L)
Day 7: Hanoi – Tu Le ( B/L/D)
Day 8: Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai(B/L/D)
Day 9: Mu Cang Chai – Tram Ton Pass – Silver Waterfall – Catcat valley- Sapa ( B/L)
Day 10: Sapa – Laochai – Tavan(Muong Hoa valley) with wonderful terrace rice fields( B/L)
Day 11: Sapa – Taphin village – Bac Ha(B/L)
Day 12: Bac Ha Sunday market – Pho Village - Hanoi (B)
Day 13: Explore bustling Hanoi ( B/L)
Day 14: Hanoi - Hoi an(B/D)
Day 15: Explore Charming Hoian - UNESCO Heritage Site (B)
Day 16: Free on the beach( B)
Day 17: Relax on the beach(B)
Day 18: Free at leisure - Departure(B)
4star Garden bay cruise in Halong bay
Price for private tour of 2adults: 1786 USD/person * 2persons = 3572 USD
1child(8.5year old): 1340 USD
1 child 4year old: Free
Total price : 4912 USD for your family
Trip includes:
+ Luxury 3 star & 4star boutique hotels & resorts with daily breakfast
+ Private Luxury 16seat AC Van
+ Luxury 4star++ cruise in Halong bay
+ Entrance & sightseeing fees
+ All meals as the itinerary (B = breakfast/ L = lunch/ D = Dinner)
+ Local guide
+ Rishsaw tour
+ Water puppet show
+ Water on tour
+ Amazing food tour in Hanoi
Trip excludes:
+ Visa to Vietnam
+ International flight
+ Early check in and late check out
+ Other meals & Drinks
+ Travel & medical insurance
+ Other services not mentioned above.
+ Bank fee.
+ Tips for tour guides and drivers
Should you have any questions, please contact us. Please see the photo of the cruise in the attached file.
2 Attachments
Yvgeny Sukhov
10/07/2015
to me
Hello Tony,
What kind of transportation from Sapa to Hanoi? We prefer night train as good experience for kids.
What kind of transportation to-from Hoi An, night train or flight?
Is your plan includes activities in Hoi An?
Thank you,
Yvgeny
Tony Ta
10/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
Thank you for the mail. From Laocai(Sapa) to Hanoi, you will go back to Hanoi by van on the new highway. It takes 3.5 hours to go back to Hanoi. I strongly say no with the train from Laocai to Hanoi. You and the kids can not sleep on the train. It takes around 8hours by train. If you want the most terrible experience on Vietnam tourism, I will arrange the train back to Hanoi for you. More information on the train below:
By train: Travel Sapa by train was considered as the best way in 2014, saving time for travellers in short time on Hanoi travel. There have been many night trains to Sapa departing at different time from 19:00pm to 22:00pm and arriving at Laocai station around 5:00am. Therefore, it saves time for travellers They sleep overnight in the cabin on the train. The cabin is used for 4persons and 1person can stay in one cabin if he can afford.
However, The railway in Vietnam is only 1 200 mm, so it is a little bumpy and rough. More ever, if your cabin is near the toilet, you may have to suffer from the bad smell or the door may make noise during the night when the train go up and down the hills. With our experience, there have been many people who could not sleep during the night and can not enjoy Sapa tour next day. Moreover on the day you go back to Hanoi in the very early morning from 4:10am and if you do not book early check-in for the hotel, it will be very inconvenient and tired to wait until noon time for the room.
- From Hanoi to Danang(Hoian), there are daily flights. The tour price does not include flight tickets from Hanoi to Danang because The price changes upon at the time of issueing the tickets. From Danang, you can fly directly to Bangkok, Singapore, Siemreap...
- the itinerary includes city tours and food tour on the 1st and 2nd days in Hoian. Then, following days, you relax on the beach.
Should you have any questions, please contact us.
Best regards,
Tony
Tony Ta
10/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
Thank you for the mail. From Laocai(Sapa) to Hanoi, you will go back to Hanoi by van on the new highway. It takes 3.5 hours to go back to Hanoi. I strongly say no with the train from Laocai to Hanoi. You and the kids can not sleep on the train. It takes around 8hours by train. If you want the most terrible experience on Vietnam tourism, I will arrange the train back to Hanoi for you. More information about the train:
By train: Travel Sapa by train was considered as the best way in 2014, saving time for travellers in short time on Hanoi travel. There have been many night trains to Sapa departing at different time from 19:00pm to 22:00pm and arriving at Laocai station around 5:00am. Therefore, it saves time for travellers They sleep overnight in the cabin on the train. The cabin is used for 4persons and 1person can stay in one cabin if he can afford.
However, The railway in Vietnam is only 1 200 mm, so it is a little bumpy and rough. More ever, if your cabin is near the toilet, you may have to suffer from the bad smell or the door may make noise during the night when the train go up and down the hills. With our experience, there have been many people who could not sleep during the night and can not enjoy Sapa tour next day. Moreover on the day you go back to Hanoi in the very early morning from 4:10am and if you do not book early check-in for the hotel, it will be very inconvenient and tired to wait until noon time for the room.
- From Hanoi to Danang(Hoian), there are daily flights. The price does not include flight tickets from Hanoi to Danang because The price changes upon at the time of issueing the tickets. From Danang, you can fly directly to Bangkok, Singapore, Siemreap...
- the itinerary includes city tours and food tour on the 1st and 2nd days. Then, the following days, you relax on the beach.
Should you have any questions, please contact us.
Best regards,
Tony
Yvgeny Sukhov
10/07/2015
to me
Thank you Tony for your replay.
What about transportation to Hoi An and back? Is your price includes hotel in Hoi An?
Tony Ta
10/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
The price includes transportation in Danang airport - Hoian - Danang airport and hotel in Hoian. The price doesn't include flight tickets from Hanoi to Danang(Hoian) and flight out Danang(Hoian). The price for the flight from Hanoi to Danang depends on the time of issueing the tickets.
Tony Ta
10/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
Flight ticket: Hanoi - Danang one way cost is about 70 USD/person.
Best regards,
Tony
Yvgeny Sukhov
10/07/2015
to me
Thank you Tony. I will contact you again soon.
Yvgeny Sukhov
10/07/2015
to me
I cannot see now attached document from mobile. Will see it later.
I understand that our trip on bottom line looks a little bit expensive for us from our expectations. I want to think about how can I do it cheaper. I need to check again our plan, points of interests and prices.
If you can give me a tips how to do it - I will be very pleasure for you.
Tony Ta
11/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
You can do it cheaper by not exploring Tu Le - Mu Cang Chai. See Sapa - Bac Ha only. Halong bay tour join-in big bus with group.
Yvgeny Sukhov
11/07/2015
to me
Hi Tony,
What will be the difference in your expectations? Please separate the Halong bay and My cang chai... And what is price for cruise, how much 3 star cruse price? What is diff between 4 star?
Yvgeny Sukhov
11/07/2015
to me
Hello Tony,
After our discussion with my wife we decided to increase our budget and we want to continue to plan a trip as you offered.
I have read that the best time to visit north vietnam rice terrasses is October. May be we need to change the sequence of North and Hoi An - the first do Hoi An, second North and finish with Halong bay cruise? Please give you opinion.
In Hoi An we prefer directly to go to the hotel on the beach and from the hotel make all tours to Hoi An old town. I saw that this is 15 min driving.
What hotel on the beach will you suggest? My wife found this hotel - "Hoi An Beach Resort". Can you please chech the possibility to stay there.
Our best regards,
Maria and Yvgeny
Tony Ta
11/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
Thank you for the mail. The best time to see the terraced rice fields in the north is the end of September. Therefore, I suggested and sent you some itineraries with Mu Cang Chai and sapa first. In October, many parts of the terraced rice field are harvested/cut and you see nothing. Therefore, with your time, I strongly advise you to see the North first.
- 4nights on the beach is too much, but Hoian is so wonderful at night for both you and your kids. The resort in where you stay is 4minutes of walk to Hoian. We have had some clients who were in the same situation and would like to change. However, there was no room to change. I strongly recommend only 2nights on the beach.
- Hoi An beach resort is the hotel I chose for your 2 nights in the end.
- There are some accidents in Halong bay, so I would like to choose good quality cruise only.
Please review and give me you opinion.
Best regards,
Tony
Yvgeny Sukhov
11/07/2015
to me
Good morning Tony,
Thank you for your explanations and experience. We will go with your all recommendations.
Regarding the tours in cities (Hanoi and Hoi An), we are a little bit concerned about the guide will give a lot of explanations, because our children don't understand English and it will be hard for them to stay in one spot and waiting. Can we do it more active and see more places?
What you can say regarding this?
In Hoi An we would like also do snorkeling if it possible.
P.s. may be you have Russian or Hebrew guides?
Thank you,
Yvgeny
Tony Ta
11/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
I will give you the most enthusiastic tour guide(English speaking) who will help your kids to see more on the way.
- Russian-speaking tour guide can not go to the mountainous area. He or she can do only Hanoi and Halong bay. These are the normal places for Russian tourists. The guide fee for Russian tour guide is also higher than English-speaking tour guide, but they can not do the job in the mountainous area.
- It is advised not to do snorkeling from October to Jan in Hoian.
Please give me your opinion.
Best regards,
Tony
Yvgeny Sukhov
12/07/2015
to me
Hello Tony,
Thank you for all your quick answers and recommendations.
We will think through and contact you soon.
Our best regards,
Yvgeny and Maria
Yvgeny Sukhov
12/07/2015
to me
Dear Tony,
I am looking on http://www.selectiveasia.com/vietnam-holidays/weather/october site and see that October is not the best month to visit Hoi An, but possible...
May be you can suggest us another distinitaion inside/out side Vietman for last 4 day?
I want to hear you oppinion about this.
Thank you again,
Yvgeny
Yvgeny Sukhov
12/07/2015
to me
Hello Tony,
As an option for for us can give me price for my family without Hoi An visit.
Thank you
Tony Ta
12/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
Thank you for the mail.
The option without Hoian visit:
Price: 1497 USD/person * 2 = 2994 USD
child(8.5year old) 1223USD
child 4 year old - free
Total price for family: 4217 USD in total.
Best regards,
Tony
Yvgeny Sukhov
12/07/2015
to me
Dear Tony,
I am looking on http://www.selectiveasia.com/vietnam-holidays/weather/october site and see that October is not the best month to visit Hoi An, but possible...
May be you can suggest us another destination inside/out side Vietnam for last 4 day? Or Hoi An is OK?
I want to hear you opinion about this.
Thank you again,
Yvgeny
Tony Ta
12/07/2015
to Yvgeny
Dear Yvgeny,
In my opinion, to compare with other cities in Vietnam, Hoian is still ok. At that time, Hoian is better than Da lat, quy Nhon, saigon...
October is the high season for the westerners to Vietnam and almost tourists go to Hoian at that time.
Best regards,
Tony
Yvgeny Sukhov
14/07/2015
to me
Hello Tony,
I will contact you later to continue to build our trip.
Until end of month I will on vacation, so will contact you again in August.
Thank you very much,
Yvgeny